Apparatus for dispensing web material from a roll

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for dispensing web material from a coreless roll (40) of such material includes a rotatable shaft (14) having a helical-shaped projection (22) on the outer surface (20) thereof. The projection (22) resists end-wise removal of the roll (40) from the shaft (14) as long as the shaft (14) is free to rotate. A lock arrangement (32) is provided to prevent rotation of the shaft (14) after the roll (40) has been substantially depleted so that end-wise removal of the roll (40) can be manually accomplished.

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing web material from a roll, especially a coreless roll of such material. The invention has particular application to dispensing paper from a coreless paper roll having a plurality of convolutions and a central opening defined by the innermost convolution. The apparatus incorporates structure which deters against theft of a coreless roll until it has been substantially depleted. BACKGROUND ART It is known in the prior art to form and make available coreless rolls of toilet tissue, paper towelling and the like. Such products incorporate no inner core and are comprised wholly of a plurality of convolutions of the paper itself. A central opening is defined by the innermost roll convolution and the central opening can accommodate spindles and shafts to support the roll as it is dispensed by being unwound by a consumer. Of course, if some means is not provided to prevent end-wise movement of the roll relative to the support spindle or shaft, the roll may be removed in its entirety simply by manually pulling it end-wise from the spindle or shaft. One approach for preventing end-wise removal of a coreless roll from its support shaft is to position the roll and support shaft within the confines of a cabinet. Cabinets, however, add to the cost of the dispenser, may be inconvenient to service, and are not always appropriate for use. Mechanisms have been devised in the nature of barbed shafts or spindles which will resist end-wise removal of the roll product. While mechanisms of the type just described are effective for preventing end-wise removal of a coreless roll from the support shaft incorporating the barbs, the innermost convolutions of the coreless roll may be cut or substantially damaged by the mechanism. Furthermore, barbs will continue to resist end-wise movement of a coreless roll relative to the shaft incorporating the barbs until the very last convolutions of the roll product have been dispensed due to unwinding of the roll. This may not always be desirable, particularly in institutional settings where maintenance personnel may wish to remove a stub (substantially depleted) roll and replace it with a full roll. A search directed to the present invention located the following United States patents: U.S. Patent No. 5,100,075, issued March 31, 1992, U.S. Patent No. 4,984,915, issued January 15, 1991, U.S. Patent No. 4,905,923, issued March 6, 1990, U.S. Patent No. 3,656,699, issued April 18, 1972, U.S. Patent No. 2,632,605, issued March 24, 1953, U.S. Patent No. 2,562,923, issued August 7, 1951, U.S. Patent No. 3,477,362, issued July 26, 1949, U.S. Patent No. 2,380,644, issued July 31, 1945, U.S. Patent No. 1,817,897, issued August 4, 1931, and U.S. Patent No. 1,093,334, issued April 14, 1914. Australian patent no. 471,352 describes a toilet-roll dispenser comprising a spindle supported at each end by a support arm. A lever pivotally mounted on one support arm actuates a release mechanism to release one end of the spindle from a support to enable a roll disposed on the spindle to be replaced. The above-identified patents do not address the problems discussed above and solved by the present invention. Whilst the problems have been discussed in the context of a coreless roll, the invention may also be used with cored rolls, especially if the core material is relatively soft. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the invention provides apparatus for dispensing web material from a roll thereof having a central bore, the apparatus comprising support means, a shaft rotatably mounted from said support means for insertion into the central bore, roll retention means for preventing removal of the roll axially from the shaft, and manually operable release means for overcoming the action of the retention means to permit axial removal of the roll, the release means being positioned to be shielded by the web material of the roll against manual operation until a substantial proportion of the web material has been unwound from the roll, characterised in that the roll retention means prevents axial removal of the roll from the shaft other than by rotation relative thereto, the release means comprising means manually operable to restrain rotation of the shaft to facilitate rotation of the roll relative thereto. Preferably the roll retention means allows end-wise movement of the roll relative to said shaft and end-wise removal of said roll from said shaft when said restraining means is activated to prevent rotation of said shaft relative to said support means and substantially resists end-wise movement of said roll relative to said shaft and end-wise removal of said roll from said shaft when said restraining means is deactivated to allow rotation of said shaft relative to said support means. In its preferred forms, the apparatus of the present invention is for dispensing web material, such as paper, from a coreless roll comprised of a plurality of convolutions of web material and having a central opening defined by the innermost convolution of the web material. The invention provides for ease of installation of the coreless roll on the apparatus so that the coreless roll can be dispensed by unwinding in the conventional manner but resists end-wise movement of the coreless roll on a support shaft until the roll has been substantially depleted during normal use by one or more consumers, i.e. by virtue of unwinding of the coreless roll. The invention is characterized by its simplicity, reliability, and relatively low cost. No external cabinet structure is required to deter against theft of other than a stub roll. Furthermore, an attendant can, if desired, remove the roll from the support shaft at any time after substantial depletion of the roll. The apparatus is for dispensing web material from a coreless roll comprised of a plurality of convolutions of web material and having a central opening defined by the innermost convolution of the web material. The apparatus includes support means. A shaft is rotatably mounted relative to the support means and has an outer peripheral surface. The shaft is for insertion into the central opening of a coreless roll whereby the coreless roll can be rotated relative to the support means to dispense web material from the coreless roll. Manually operable lock means is provided for preventing rotation of the shaft relative to the support means. Roll retention means is operatively associated with the shaft and a coreless roll supported by the shaft to allow end-wise movement of the coreless roll relative to the shaft and end-wise removal of the coreless roll from the shaft when the lock means is activated and prevents rotation of the shaft relative to the support means. The roll retention means substantially resists end-wise movement of the coreless roll relative to the shaft and end-wise removal of the coreless roll from the shaft when the lock means is deactivated and allows rotation of the shaft relative to the support means. The roll retention means comprises a generally helical-shaped projection on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft. The generally helical-shaped projection progresses along at least a portion of the length of the shaft for engagement with a coreless roll mounted on the shaft. The lock means includes a movable lock element connected to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft. A lock element is movable between a first location wherein the lock element engages the support means and prevents rotational movement of the shaft relative to the support means and a second location wherein the lock element is disengaged from the support means and allows rotational movement of the shaft relative to the support means. Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention prior to application of a full coreless paper roll thereto; Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a side view of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 shows the substantially depleted coreless roll on the apparatus and a lock element being manually actuated to prevent rotation of the apparatus coreless roll support shaft. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is designated by reference numeral 10. Apparatus 10 includes a support member 12 in the form of a flat plate. Support member 12 may be affixed at any desired location such as a wall by conventional fastener means (not shown). A shaft 14 is rotatably mounted on support member 12. Any suitable means may be utilized to accomplish rotatable mounting of the shaft. Fig. 4 illustrates one such arrangement wherein the shaft projects through an aperture 16 in support member 12. A circular flange 18 affixed to the shaft 14 is disposed in a corresponding recess formed at the back of the support member and is rotatable therein along with the shaft. Of course, more complicated arrangements involving bearings or the like may be utilized if desired. Shaft 14 has a circular-shaped outer peripheral surface 20. A helical-shaped projection is on the outer peripheral surface and progresses along the majority of the length of the shaft. Projection 22 extends inwardly toward the support member 12 from a tapered head 24 at the distal end of the shaft. The helical-shaped projection 22 has a sloped, ramp-like, front surface 26 and a rear surface 28 projecting outwardly from the shaft peripheral surface. Affixed to shaft 14 and rotatable therewith is a roll abutment plate. Roll abutment plate 30 is closely adjacent to support member 12. A tab-like lock element or detent 32 projects outwardly from the plate 30 and normally assumes a position (shown in Fig. 1) where the lock element is essentially in alignment with the plate 30. However, the lock element or tab 32 can be deflected toward support member 12 upon application of suitable force thereto. Deflected lock element 32 is shown in Fig. 6, the deflecting force being applied by a human finger 34. The lock element or detent 32 in Fig. 6 is shown as entering an indent or hole 36 formed in support member 12 and in registry with the lock element 32 once every revolution of the shaft 14 and plate 30. As shown, the lock element 32 and plate 30 are of integral construction. As is the case with respect to the other components of the apparatus 10, any suitable material may utilized in the construction of the plate and lock element, e.g. plastic. Shaft or spindle 14 is for the purpose of holding a toilet tissue roll 40 to allow dispensing thereof in a conventional manner upon rotation of the shaft and roll. The roll 40 is readily applied to the shaft by placing the shaft head 24 in the central opening 42 of the coreless roll which is defined by the innermost convolution of the roll. Installation of the roll on the shaft is readily accomplished by pushing the roll toward the support member 12, with the ramp-like front surface of projection 22 facilitating sliding of the roll over the projection until the roll abuts or comes close to abutting plate 30. Outward pulling of the roll away from the support member 12 will be resisted in a substantial manner, however, due to the fact that rear surface 28 of the projection engages the coreless roll in a more positive fashion. Preferably the rear surface of the helical-shaped projection 22 defines an angle with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft not exceeding about 90 degrees. Installation of the roll 40, at least at the initial stages of the operation, can be facilitated by locking shaft 14 against rotation and rotating the roll so that it "screws on" the shaft by following the contours of projection 22. For example, rotational movement of the shaft may be prevented by pressing the lock element 32 into indent 36 as shown in Fig. 6 until the roll nears plate 30. Any attempt, however, to "unscrew" the roll 40 from shaft 18 will be stymied due to the fact that the shaft will rotate when outside rotational forces are applied to the roll. Thus, the roll 40 cannot readily be removed endwise from the shaft 14 and the roll must be dispensed by unwinding. However, when the size of the roll has depleted sufficiently to form a stub roll of considerably less convolutions than the number of convolutions forming a full roll, the lock element 32 will be exposed and can be pressed manually into indent 36 to prevent rotation of plate 30 and shaft 14. Now the roll can be "unwound" from the shaft about projection 22 by rotating the roll counter clockwise as illustrated in Fig. 6. While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than limitation and that changes may be made to the invention without departing from its scope as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: Apparatus (10) for dispensing web material from a roll (40) thereof having a central bore (42), the apparatus comprising support means (12), a shaft (14) rotatably mounted from said support means (12) for insertion into the central bore, roll retention means (22) for preventing removal of the roll axially from the shaft, and manually operable release means (32) for overcoming the action of the retention means to permit axial removal of the roll, the release means being positioned to be shielded by the web material of the roll against manual operation until a substantial proportion of the web material has been unwound from the roll, characterised in that the roll retention means (22) prevents axial removal of the roll from the shaft other than by rotation relative thereto, the release means (32) comprising means manually operable to restrain rotation of the shaft (14) to facilitate rotation of the roll (40) relative thereto. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the roll retention means (22) allows end-wise movement of the roll (40) relative to said shaft (14) and end-wise removal of said roll (40) from said shaft (14) when said restraining means is activated to prevent rotation of said shaft (14) relative to said support means (12) and substantially resists end-wise movement of said roll (40) relative to said shaft (14) and end-wise removal of said roll (40) from said shaft (14) when said restraining means (32) is deactivated to allow rotation of said shaft (14) relative to said support means (12). The apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said roll retention means comprises a generally helical-shaped projection (22) on the outer peripheral surface of said shaft (14), said generally helical-shaped projection progressing along at least a portion of the length of said shaft for engagement with a roll mounted on said shaft. The apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said generally helical-shaped projection has a sloped, ramp-like, front surface (26) for engagement by a roll being mounted on said shaft and a rear surface (28) projecting outwardly from said shaft outer peripheral surface for engaging a roll mounted on said shaft and resisting movement of the roll outwardly away from said support means. The apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said rear surface of said generally helical-shaped projection defines an angle with the outer peripheral surface of said shaft not exceeding about ninety degrees. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said restraining means includes a movable lock element (32) connected to said shaft (14) and rotatable with said shaft, said lock element being movable between a first location wherein said lock element engages said support means (12) and prevents rotational movement of said shaft relative to said support means and a second location wherein said lock element is disengaged from said support means and allows rotational movement of said shaft relative to said support means. The apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said lock element comprises a manually actuatable detent member, said support means defining an indent (36) for selectively receiving said detent. The apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said manually actuatable detent member is covered by the web material until substantial depletion of said coreless roll whereby said manually actuatable detent member can only be manually actuated after the roll on the shaft has been substantially depleted. The apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said apparatus additionally comprises a plate (30) connected to said shaft adjacent to said support means and rotatable with said shaft relative to said support means, said manually actuatable detent member being connected to said plate and rotatable therewith. The apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said indent is radially spaced from said support shaft. Apparatus according to any preceding claim having disposed on the shaft thereof a roll (40) of web material for dispensing. Apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the roll is coreless.

Inventors: SCHUTZ RUDOLPH W, SCHUTZ , RUDOLPH W
Applicants: FORT JAMES CORP, FORT JAMES CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A47K10
IPC codes: A47K10